Blackeyed Theatre and South Hill Park to Tour MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN, September-December

In autumn 2012, Blackeyed Theatre, in association with South Hill Park, brings to the stage an exciting new production of Mother Courage and Her Children, by Bertolt Brecht, in a translation by Lee Hall. This modern reworking will open the Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park on the 26 September and then tour the UK until the 1st December

Two ideologies collide in a conflict that stretches across a continent and threatens the balance of world power. In its midst, one woman, her three children by her side, sees an opportunity to survive, a way to profit from the slaughter by selling goods to both sides. And the time is about to come when, in her quest for material gain, she must make the ultimate sacrifice.

Mother Courage and Her Children asks fundamental questions about the effects our beliefs have on the world and the role of ideology in society and world affairs, and Lee Hall’s (Billy Elliot, The Pitmen Painters, War Horse screenplay) brilliant translation is accessible, bang up to date and full of dark comedy. Brought to the stage by highly acclaimed Blackeyed Theatre with breath-taking ensemble performances and live music, Mother Courage and Her Children is a truly unforgettable theatrical experience.

Director Tom Neil said about the new staging, "Mother Courage is a powerful play to stage at a time when we are questioning our own culture of commerce and material gain. We're taking an up-to-date, comic and energetic approach to it - the translation by Lee Hall is terrifically witty, the cast is very versatile, and our composer Ron McAllister has scored some beautiful new songs for us. Like all good drama, we're aiming to create an entertaining mix of lightness and depth."

The production is directed by Tom Neil with designs by Victoria Spearing, Costumes by Jenny Lethbridge, Lighting by Alan Valentine and music composed by Ron McAllister. The excellent cast consists of Jacob Addley, Janet Greaves, Georgina Hall, J.J Henry and Tristan Pate.

Blackeyed Theatre, based in Berkshire, is a nationally-renowned producer of high-quality theatre. The company was established in 2004 to create exciting opportunities for artists and audiences alike, and to offer challenging, high quality theatre to the mid-scale touring circuit. The company specialises in reviving modern classics and staging established titles in innovative ways, using small ensembles of actor/musicians to create theatre that is audacious, fresh and far bigger than the sum of its parts. In 2009, Blackeyed Theatre became an associate company of South Hill Park in Bracknell.

Mother Courage and her Children will open at the Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park on 26 September and then tour the UK until 1st December. The production is supported by National Lottery funding through Arts Council England.

For more info visit www.blackeyedtheatre.co.uk.

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